BM-21 Grad

Multiple launch rocket system

The BM-21 Grad is the
world's most widely used multiple launch rocket system

Entered service

1963

Crew

6 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight

13.7 t

Length

7.35 m

Width

2.4
m

Height

3.09 m

Armament

Caliber

122-mm

Number of tubes

40

Rocket weight

66.6 kg

Warhead weight

18.4 kg

Firing range

1.6 - 21 km

Full salvo duration

20 s

Reloading time

7 minutes

Mobility

Engine

ZIL-375 petrol

Engine power

180 hp

Maximum road speed

75 km/h

Range

750 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

40%

Vertical step

up to 0.6 m

Trench

~ 0.6 m

Fording

1.5 m

The BM-21
Grad (hail) multiple launch rocket system entered service
with the Soviet Army in 1963. It was produced for a long period of
time in large quantity both for the Soviet Army and for export
customers.
Currently the BM-21 Grad is in service with more than 30 countries.
It is the most widely used artillery rocket system in the world.
There are numerous variants, copies and modifications of this
vehicle.

The BM-21
Grad has 40 launching tubes for 122-mm rockets. The standard
rocket with a HE-FRAG warhead is 2.87 m long and weights 66.6 kg.
Warhead itself weights 18.4 kg. It also fires rockets
fitted with incendiary, chemical, smoke, illumination or cluster
warheads. Cluster warheads contain anti-tank or anti-personnel submunitions. A number of specialized warheads were developed for
this vehicle. A full salvo of the BM-21 Grad covers area of 0.8 -1
hectares.

Vehicle is
prepared to fire in three minutes. The BM-21 can launch rockets
directly from the cab or remotely from the vehicle. It is possible
to launch rockets without preparing the firing position. This
feature ensures brief reaction time. The Grad can be
packed up and ready to move in two minutes.

The BM-21 is
based on the
Ural-375D 6x6
high mobility truck. Vehicle is powered by the ZiL-375
petrol or diesel engine, developing 180 horsepower. Later Grads were mounted
on newer
Ural-4320 and
ZiL-131 trucks. A launcher pack can be
mounted on any other acceptable chassis type.

The BM-21 is
reloaded manually. Reload rockets are carried in escorting utility
truck. It takes less than 10 minutes to reload the launching vehicle.

Russian variants of the
BM-21 Grad

BM-21V
Grad-V, airborne variant of the Grad, fitted with 12 launching
tubes. It is mounted on a
GAZ-66B
4x4 truck;

Grad-1,
lighter version of the Grad, fitted with 36 launching tubes. It is mounted on the
ZiL-131 6x6 truck chassis. This artillery system is compatible only
with the shorter-range rockets;

BM-21-1
improved variant of the Grad, mounted on Ural-43201 general utility
truck. It is fitted with a satellite navigation system, automated
fire control and laying systems. This artillery system can fire a
new generation of rockets with a maximum range of 40 km;

Grad-K
a new version of the Grad, mounted on the 6x6
KamAZ-5350
general utility truck. It was revealed in 2011. Currently this version is in a
small scale production;

Tornado-G,
updated version of the Grad. First production systems were delivered
to the Russian Army in 2012. The launcher vehicle is based on
Ural-4320 army truck. This artillery rocket system fires newly
developed missiles with extended range and more lethal warheads.